# Employees encouraged to plan ahead for potential winter storm

/ Published Jan. 21, 2016

Defense Logistics Agency employees are encouraged to start preparing now for what forecasters believe could be a severe, potentially historic snowstorm in the region Friday through Saturday.

Employees can check for changes in the local operating status at www.dla.mil/distribution or by signing up for email alerts and/or text messages from AtHoc, DLA’s Emergency Mass Notification System. To sign up, click on the purple globe under the small triangle in the taskbar labeled “Show Hidden Icons” on your computer screen. Operating status updates will also be available on DLA’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/dla.mil, and via phone at 717-770-2866 or 1-877-639-2012  

Winter storms can range from moderate snowfall lasting a few hours to a blizzard with blinding, wind-driven snow lasting several days. Many winter storms are accompanied by dangerously low temperatures and sometimes by strong winds, ice, sleet or freezing rain, according to the Department of Homeland Security’s www.ready.gov website.

Behind the beauty of a fresh blanket of snow is the storm’s ability to knock out heat, power and communications for days, immobilizing an entire region. The National Weather Service refers to winter storms as “deceptive killers” because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. Instead, people die in traffic accidents on icy roads or from hypothermia after prolonged exposure. The ready.gov site recommends people prepare for winter weather before it strikes by following these steps: 
        - ·         Listen to local officials.
        - ·         Have emergency supplies in place at home, at work and in the car.
        - ·         Stay off the road during and after a winter storm,
        - ·         Have a carbon monoxide alarm in place, especially if using alternative heating devices.
        - ·         Use safe heating devices.
        - ·         Keep cell phones and flashlights charged or have portable chargers on hand.

One of the most important items to have ready when a disaster strikes is an emergency communication plan. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends listing emergency contact phone numbers, meeting places, medical contacts, school information and more. Templates are available at http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan

FEMA also urges people to prepare an emergency kit that includes enough food, water, medicine and anything used daily to last at least 72 hours. Recommendation lists are here: http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1390846764394-dc08e309debe561d866b05ac84daf1ee/checklist_2014.pdf

Winter also brings days and nights with sub-freezing temperatures. While playing in the snow or working outdoors, know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia.

Signs of frostbite are: 
        - ·         Loss of feeling in fingers, toes, ear lobes, tip of the nose 
        - ·         Numbness 
        - ·         White, gray, or pale appearance of skin

Signs of hypothermia, according to the Mayo Clinic, begin as the temperature starts to drop and your body’s automatic defense against cold temperature kicks in. These signs include:
        - ·         Shivering
        - ·         Dizziness
        - ·         Hunger
        - ·         Nausea
        - ·         Faster breathing
        - ·         Trouble speaking
        - ·         Slight confusion
        - ·         Lack of coordination
        - ·         Fatigue
        - ·         Increased heart rate   

For more information and a checklist, visit http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/8a3791d53642aa08eb41a705e3c505b5/FEMA_FS_winterstorm_508.pdf